Ms. Meredith Roche is very excited to be joining PM Music Center, and actually took lessons at PM Music when she was a teenager. Ms. Roche has taught saxophone and clarinet lessons since she was in college. Ms. Roche received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Western Illinois University (WIU) in 2013. At WIU she studied saxophone under John Vana and clarinet under Eric Ginsberg. She’s been playing clarinet since 1997 and saxophone since 1999. Primarily a classical saxophonist, at WIU she won the Concerto Competition on alto saxophone and performed the Dubois Concerto with the WIU Orchestra in her sophomore year of her undergraduate degree. In addition to saxophone and clarinet studios, Ms. Roche also participated in the, flute and bassoon studios several semesters and is a woodwind specialist that loves to double. Ms. Roche recently started teaching in Indian Prairie School District 204. She is a band director and is teaching technique classes at both Metea Valley High School and Fischer Middle School, as well as helping with the Marching Mustangs. Prior to teaching in District 204, Ms. Roche taught for Chicago Public Schools where she initiated a school’s first ever band program at the middle school level. At this school in Chicago she organized the start of a beginning concert band, advanced band, rock band, and piano class. She also taught at Luther North College Prep in Chicago, IL. In her spare time, Ms. Roche loves performing in pit orchestras for musical theatre productions, and painting.

Tim Omerod received his Bachelor’s degree in performance from Chicago Conservatory College, and his Master’s from Northwestern University. Tim is listed in “Who’s Who In American Universities and Colleges.” He studied clarinet, flute, sax, oboe, and bassoon with professional players from the Chicago area. He has performed in a variety of venues, including top forty bands, jazz, shows, and classical music, across the Midwest. Local venues include Marriot Lincolnshire, and Ray Charles last show in Chicago. He has composed several solos for younger students, and is currently writing original pop music and lyrics for performance and distribution. He has been teaching all age levels, for over thirty years.

Fred taught as a band director for 6 years and has been teaching private lessons for over 20 years. He has the ability to teach many styles of music from classical to jazz as well as being able to teach all brass instruments. Fred has been the lead trumpet player for: The 911 Mambo Orchestra (Grammy nominated), Willie Wilson Orchestra, WGN TV show Singsation, Selena, Chuchito Valdez, Peter Hennis Orchestra, and Trent Carlini. Fred has studied at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Roosevelt University, and has studied with Roger Ingram and Rob Parton.

Mr. Murphy is a long resident of St. Charles, Illinois. He maintains a French Horn and brass instruction studio in the Fox Valley since the early 1980's. He works with beginning students through high school as well as college and adult musicians. Active as a performer, Mr. Murphy is a full time member of the Rockford Symphony Horn Section, performs in chamber music as well as a member of the Baker Brass Ensemble, a professional brass group at St. Charles Baker Memorial United Methodist Church and director of the Chancel Bell Choir there too.

David has been a practicing and performing trumpeter for the past 16 years and counting. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from Northern Illinois University where he focused on all aspects of trumpet performance from solo literature to various chamber and large ensemble groups. David has studied with Professors John Fairfield and Mark Ponzo while at Northern and Mike Brozick of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. He can be heard performing with the Dekalb Municipal Band during their summer season and occasionally serves as substitute trumpet for the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Joanne has had the privilege of performing as a professional flutist for over 30 years, performing as a guest flutist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, pit orchestra for Chicago Theater, chamber music with Chicago Symphony Quintet as well as working with many of the finest musicians in the city and abroad. Joanne has extensive experience in the recording industry, working with many talented guest artists recording jingles as well as working in the studios in Nashville, TN. Her training includes a Bachelors of Music from Eastern Illinois University. She was also one of 13 performers chosen to perform on Donald Peck's master class at Depaul University. Joanne studied privately with Donald Peck and Richard Graef, both of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.Joanne has been teaching private flute lessons for over 33 years.

Joel has 20 years of playing and teaching experience. He is currently the instructor of Applied Jazz Saxophone at Lewis University and on faculty at Prairie State University and Benedictine University. He has performed with artists such as: Arturo Sandoval, Eddie Daniels, Jim Snidero, and Maynard Ferguson. Joel has a BS in Media Communications with a minor in Music from Western Illinois University and a Masters of Music in Jazz Pedagogy from Berklee College of Music Boston Conservatory. He has studied privately with Bill Pierce, Bob Berg, and Rick Margitza.

Susan has over 10 years of private teaching experience. She also teaches General Music classes and has taught band in the past. Susan has been a member of the Fox Valley Concert Band and performed with many instrumental groups at the University of Illinois. She was featured on one of the tracks on Eric Jackson's CD. She has a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Illinois.

Drenda has 30 years private teaching, and 17 years of public school teaching experience. She is the band director at Indian Creek Middle School where she teaches 5th grade general music and the 6, 7, and 8th grade band. Drenda is also a member of the National Flute Association, National Education Association and America School Band Directors Association. She has been a member of the Naperville Municipal Band (1983-1995), Grace United Methodist Church flute choir, North Central College flute choir, and is currently a member of Yorkvillie Community Band and also performs at weddings. Drenda has a BA in Music Education from Western Illinois University and continued education from Northern Illinois University.

Laurie has been teaching elementary band, choir, general music, and middle school band at various schools around Chicagoland for 10 years. She has directed flute and clarinet choirs and has taught jazz band as well. Laurie has been performing with the Wheaton Municipal Band since 2002 and the Murphy-Roche Irish Music Club since 2004. She has previously performed with the Chicago Classical Symphony Orchestra, and DePaul University's Wind Symphony, Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble. Laurie has a Bachelor of Music with a double major in Music Education and Flute Performance from DePaul University. She also has her Teaching Certificate for grades K-12 in Music.

Mike has been teaching private lessons since 1980. He has performed with the Joliet American Legion Band, Cathedral of St. Raymond Brass Ensemble, and is a founding member of the Fortress Brass Quintet and Joliet Junior College Community Band. He has performed at many churches and summer music festivals around the area. Mike has a Bachelor of Music Education from St. Francis University in Joliet and is working toward a graduate degree in Music Education from Illinois State University.